"Mario Kart World: Not Part of Mushroom Kingdom Canon"

The newly revealed map in *Mario Kart World* isn't the traditional, canon Mushroom Kingdom fans might expect. Instead, it’s a fresh, reimagined version designed specifically for high-speed racing. The game world brings together iconic Mario locations into one seamless and interconnected environment, offering players a dynamic and immersive racing experience unlike any previous entry in the series.

Mario Kart World's Map is Not the Canon Version of the Mushroom Kingdom

A Racing-Centric World Built from the Ground Up

According to Producer Kosuke Yabuki, the Mario Kart World map was crafted with one primary goal: enhancing the racing experience. While familiar elements like question mark blocks and warp pipes make appearances, this world isn’t meant to represent the official Mushroom Kingdom seen in mainline Mario titles.

In an interview with The Verge on June 3, Yabuki explained that the development team focused entirely on designing a world tailored for Mario Kart gameplay. “As you travel through this world, you’ll see things that remind you of the Mushroom Kingdom,” he said. “However, in terms of world design, I would say this world was built specifically for Mario Kart World. When determining the height of a mountain or the length of a desert area, those were all decisions made with this title in mind.”

He further emphasized that the team wasn’t bound by real-world geography or logic when constructing the map. Their priority was creating a fun, cohesive racing environment rather than adhering to established lore. This approach allowed them to experiment with scale and layout while maintaining the charm and familiarity of the Mario universe.

Yabuki also noted that even small changes in terrain could create ripple effects throughout the game world, requiring extensive adjustments. “This means that in the end, terrain design is actually quite a difficult task, because if you change one thing, you have to adjust many more,” he elaborated. With the increase in racer count from 12 to 24, the team had to rethink every element from the ground up to ensure smooth, competitive gameplay across the expansive new map.

Day One Patch Now Available

Ahead of its launch, Nintendo released patch notes detailing the contents of the Day One update—Version 1.1.0. Among the most notable additions is support for CameraPlay, a new feature exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. This functionality allows players to stream live video of themselves directly into the game using the separately sold Switch 2 camera.

Additionally, the update unlocks key features such as online multiplayer, LAN play, and the ability to upload and download ghost data during Time Trials. It also expands the initial roster of playable characters and removes time limits for course selection in Wireless Play and LAN Play, giving players more flexibility and freedom right from the start.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of *Mario Kart World*, ready to explore its richly detailed, racing-focused take on the Mushroom Kingdom. Launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, this latest installment promises to redefine how players experience Mario Kart gameplay. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage as we get closer to launch day!